Yellowtail, California – U.S. California, Gillnet (Hiramasa)

California Yellowtail are found and caught commercially off California and Baja California, Mexico. They reach sexual maturity at an early age, but are relatively slow growing and known to form spawning aggregations

Catches of California Yellowtail have fluctuated greatly over the years, tending to be greater during El Nino events when waters are warmer and much less during cool, La Nina events. Abundance levels of California Yellowtail populations are not known.

California Yellowtail are captured with both set and drift gillnets and handlines. The gillnet fisheries catch some unintended species of concern, including humpback whales and white sharks.

Management of the California Yellowtail fisheries is moderately effective. Management regulations include a minimum size limit and restricted fishing areas.

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Fish Key:

Species has a combination of problems such as overfishing, high bycatch, and poor management.

Some problems exist with this species' status or catch methods, or information is insufficient for evaluating.

Species is relatively abundant, and fishing methods cause little damage to habitat and other wildlife.

A fishery targeting this species has been certified as sustainable and well managed to the Marine Stewardship Council's environmental standard. Learn more at http://www.msc.org.

These fish contain levels of mercury or PCBs that may pose a health risk to adults and children. Our source of information is http://seafood.edf.org/. We also recommend that you check local advisories.